Neighborhoods Resources
What Are the Benefits and Responsibilities of Neighborhood Groups?
- Benefit: The joy of getting to know fellow Presbyterians from area churches.
We have much more in common than we think, and there is great joy in Christian fellowship. In an age of increasing loneliness and the feeling of isolation, it is more important than ever to find safe spaces for connection and sharing our hopes and concerns. Neighborhood groups are born from the recognition of the vital need for friendship among ministry colleagues. - Benefit: Discovering
new resources for ministry.
Many churches are working in isolation to fill their pulpit in the absence of a full-time minister, as well as finding accompanists for worship and other volunteers. Moreover, churches are involved in wonderful ministries of which their neighboring churches may not be aware. Neighborhood groups give churches a chance to discover and share resources (such as the “Midwest Call Finder”) and new ideas for mission. It is our hope that these neighborhood groups will facilitate better communication and accountability between the PSEI and among local churches. - Benefit/Responsibility:
Cooperation in church officers training and possibly sharing pastoral leadership among churches.
Every year, it is required that churches conduct background checks and provide training for deacons, elders, clerks of session, and moderators. There are also annual responsibilities, such as Session record reviews and statistical reports. Neighborhood groups can work together on these tasks, rather than having to do it all on their own. Also, 3-5 churches in neighborhood groups may choose to share a Connectional Servant Pastor (if available), who can provide experienced worship leadership & pastoral care to churches without ministers of Word and Sacrament. - Responsibility: Gathering
regularly for prayer and fellowship.
On the most basic level, the responsibility of a neighborhood group is to create Christian community and friendships among believers. When we gather, we pray together and share our lives and what’s going on in our churches. We believe that Jesus is especially present where people intentionally gather in his Name. It would be most helpful to have a “point person” who will reach out and keep the churches in a neighborhood aware of the meeting places and times. - Responsibility: Helping
the Presbytery find people called to serve the larger church.
The neighborhood groups will be responsible for helping the PSEI find those elders and ministers who are gifted and called to serve on various committees/teams of the PSEI. The Committee on Representation will keep the groups informed of the PSEI’s needs, and will take nominations from the neighborhoods to the PSEI.
The Presbytery's Neighborhood Groups
Click a header to sort by that column.
| Congregation | Neighborhood |
|---|---|
| Albion, First United | Bridge Neighborhood |
| Arcola | Embarras Neighborhood |
| Argenta, The Bridge | Greater Decatur Neighborhood |
| Ashmore, United | East Central Neighborhood |
| Assumption, Memorial | Sangamon Neighborhood |
| Bement, First | Greater Decatur Neighborhood |
| Bridgeport, First United | Bridge Neighborhood |
| Butler, Union | Open Door Neighborhood |
| Carbondale, First | Riverside Neighborhood |
| Carmi, First | Wabash Neighborhood |
| Carterville, First | Orchards Neighborhood |
| Centralia, First United | First Capital Neighborhood |
| Champaign, Copper Creek | Illini Neighborhood |
| Champaign, First | Illini Neighborhood |
| Champaign, McKinley | Illini Neighborhood |
| Champaign, Westminster | Illini Neighborhood |
| Charleston, First | East Central Neighborhood |
| Chester, First | Riverside Neighborhood |
| Cobden, First | Riverside Neighborhood |
| Danville, First | Salt Fork Neighborhood |
| Decatur, Bethlehem | Greater Decatur Neighborhood |
| Decatur, First | Greater Decatur Neighborhood |
| Decatur, Westminster | Greater Decatur Neighborhood |
| Donnellson | Open Door Neighborhood |
| Effingham, First | Kaskaskia Neighborhood |
| Equality | Orchards Neighborhood |
| Golconda, First | Orchards Neighborhood |
| Grand Tower, First United | Riverside Neighborhood |
| Greenup, First | Kaskaskia Neighborhood |
| Greenville, First | First Capital Neighborhood |
| Harrisburg, First | Wabash Neighborhood |
| Hillsboro, Waveland | Open Door Neighborhood |
| Hoopeston, First | Salt Fork Neighborhood |
| Kansas, United | East Central Neighborhood |
| Lawrenceville, First | Bridge Neighborhood |
| Litchfield, First | Sangamon Neighborhood |
| Marion, First | Orchards Neighborhood |
| Mattoon, First | Embarras Neighborhood |
| Mattoon, Loxa | Embarras Neighborhood |
| McLeansboro, First | Wabash Neighborhood |
| Monticello, First | Salt Fork Neighborhood |
| Mt. Vernon, First | South Central Neighborhood |
| Mt. Zion | Greater Decatur Neighborhood |
| Murphysboro, First | South Central Neighborhood |
| Nashville, First | South Central Neighborhood |
| Neoga, United | Embarass Neighborhood |
| New Haven, United | Wabash Neighborhood |
| Newton, First | Kaskaskia Neighborhood |
| Norris City, Union Ridge | Wabash Neighborhood |
| Olney, First | Bridge Neighborhood |
| Palestine, First | Kaskaskia Neighborhood |
| Pana, United in Faith | Sangamon Neighborhood |
| Paris, New Providence | East Central Neighborhood |
| Paris, The | East Central Neighborhood |
| Paxton, Federated | Salt Fork Neighborhood |
| Philo | Salt Fork Neighborhood |
| Pinckneyville, First United | South Central Neighborhood |
| Raymond, A Community of Faith | Sangamon Neighborhood |
| Rockwood, Ebenezer | Riverside Neighborhood |
| Rockwood, First | Riverside Neighborhood |
| Rosamond, Community | Sangamon Neighborhood |
| Salem | First Capital Neighborhood |
| Salem, New Bethel | First Capital Neighborhood |
| Shawneetown, First | Orchards Neighborhood |
| Shelbyville, First | Embarras Neighborhood |
| Sorento | Open Door Neighborhood |
| Sorento, Reno-Bethel | Open Door Neighborhood |
| Sparta, Westminster | South Central Neighborhood |
| Sumner, Gilead | Bridge Neighborhood |
| Taylorville, First | Sangamon Neighborhood |
| Tilden | South Central Neighborhood |
| Tolono, First | Salt Fork Neighborhood |
| Urbana, First | Illini Neighborhood |
| Urbana, Korean | Illini Neighborhood |
| Vandalia, First | First Capital Neighborhood |
